The Chairman Writes

Author: Howard Crapper

I had the great pleasure to ride past Port Meadow on the train last week in the stunning Spring Sunshine that suddenly appeared after weeks of grey, misty and may I say cold weather. It was a joy to see the green sward of the grass and the sparkling reflections in the flood water. Directly after passing Oxford Station going north, you come straight into it. It can be very exciting compared to the usual dire grey mist or fog. There were a few people walking and taking advantage of this new bright dawn. Horses appeared to have zip in their bodies and an eye for adventure.

I was on my way to a Court Meeting of the Freemen of England and Wales being held at Freemans Holt in Leicester. Freemans Holt is a development of two bedroom chalets for Freemen retirement.

Right by the lovely River Sour in landscaped grounds, security gates and a club house for social events and Freeman meetings. There is also space for gardening and vegetable root crops.

The meeting was able to hold to the Agenda and even found time to donate monies to the Ukraine freemen rescue fund.

My rail journey home was horrendous. No sooner had we cleared Nuneaton, that the on board computers were flashing trouble ahead. The overhead Catenary of electric cables, which power our trains had been brought down on the line between Banbury and Oxford. Was it the wind or indeed previous rail traffic which had caused such alarm. We were stopped at Banbury Station for thirty minutes before we were side lined into an area known as Haddenham - a windy and dark holding area near Thame. No announcements but we had to disembark and wait in this huge standing indoor area. Some slept on the floor. Eventually we were notified to go and wait on the platform for a train which would take us to Oxford. On arrival at Oxford Station, the manager could be seen on his mobile phone and he was calling all available taxis (on a busy Saturday evening) to take each and every one home. Good effort GWR. I eventually got to bed at 2.30 am. Always be ready for the unexpected.